Aer Lingus says losses soar

Irish airline Aer Lingus announced a big increase in first-quarter losses after a tough start to the year, forcing it to predict a "significantly lower" full-year profit.

The carrier on Thursday unveiled an operating loss before exceptional items of 53.7 million euros ($A74.25 million) in the three months to March 31, up 41.7 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2010.

Aer Lingus said it had been hit by a cabin crew dispute, a later start to Easter compared with 2010 and "poor performance" by some routes.

"Despite a difficult start to the year, the operating result is line with our expectations and management still expects that Aer Lingus will generate an operating profit before exceptional items for 2011, but now at a significantly lower level than in 2010," the airline said in its earnings statement.